Listen to Metallica Ring in Warm Weather with Studio Version of ‘Lords of Summer’

James Hetfield and Robert Trujillo of Metallica (Thomas Frey/Getty Images)

By Brian Ives

Metallica are ringing in summer by posting their new anthem “Lords of Summer” to iTunes.

The band informed fans via a message on their website yesterday (June 19): “Welcome to the official start of summer! Along with the longest day of the year comes the release of ‘Lords of Summer’ on iTunes worldwide. If you joined us for a show or two in South America or on the first leg of the European tour you will recognize it as the ‘new song’ in the set. Our friends over at ESPN heard it and decided they want to kick off their summer by spinning it on and off all day Saturday, so you just might hear it again if you’re a sports fan in the States.

“Those of you with astute ears will notice some minor differences from the version we streamed on YouTube and released on LiveMetallica.com… it’s still a work in progress, but we wanted to share it with you as it stands today… it most probably will change again!”

Up next for Metallica: their somewhat controversial headlining slot at England’s Glastonbury festival. Meanwhile their album, the followup to Death Magnetic, is currently being recorded, though a release date is not yet available.